GEMS AMERICAN ACADEMY QATAR An Institute Offer<strong>in</strong>g a Lot More than Quality Education 40 02 | December <strong>2018</strong> | T H E TM NOWLEDGEREVIEW Education. Innovation. Success
THE <strong>10</strong> BEST INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN QATAR <strong>2018</strong> T R “We firmly believe that education is about overall student development and, as a GEMS <strong>in</strong>ternational school community, we promote growth through learn<strong>in</strong>g, global citizenship, the pursuit of excellence, and leadership through <strong>in</strong>novation.” Located at Al Wakra, <strong>Qatar</strong>, GEMS American Academy <strong>Qatar</strong> (GAAQ) is a state-of-the-art center of <strong>in</strong>spirational learn<strong>in</strong>g that enables students to make decisions <strong>in</strong>dependently, solve problems effectively, and <strong>in</strong>teract positively with tolerance. This prom<strong>in</strong>ent school offers a rigorous American curriculum from Pre-K<strong>in</strong>dergarten through Grade 12 to its multi-cultural student body. Along with U.S. core standards-based academics, it provides an Advanced Placement (AP) Program as well as a robust extra-curricular program to support the holistic development of a child. <strong>The</strong> major learn<strong>in</strong>g pr<strong>in</strong>ciples of GAAQ are: develop<strong>in</strong>g healthy connections, goal sett<strong>in</strong>g, authentic assessment and constructive feedback, effective use of time, and nurtur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dependence and <strong>in</strong>quiry. This <strong>in</strong>stitution empowers its students to atta<strong>in</strong> their goals and to become successful citizens <strong>in</strong> the global community. <strong>The</strong> academy actively cultivates the values of respect, <strong>in</strong>novation, leadership, purpose, and tenacity <strong>in</strong> their scholars. Perfectly Tailored Curriculum Early Years Curriculum GAAQ’s early-years program is based on a creative curriculum revolv<strong>in</strong>g around five important developmental strands: social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language. <strong>The</strong>se are <strong>in</strong>tegrated <strong>in</strong>to themed units throughout the year us<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>terest centers based around drama, science, literature, art, creative play, music, gross-motor, outdoor play, and other free-play choices. <strong>The</strong> curriculum also <strong>in</strong>cludes other daily activities to promote developmental skills <strong>in</strong> all areas. Elementary School: Grades 1 to 5 <strong>The</strong> school has a solid curriculum <strong>in</strong> place for these students that emphasize basic skills <strong>in</strong> all subject areas and <strong>in</strong>troduces higher-level challenges to students to stimulate their <strong>in</strong>terests. <strong>The</strong> curriculum fosters the concept that learn<strong>in</strong>g is enjoyable and reward<strong>in</strong>g as well as provid<strong>in</strong>g a variety of provisions to support <strong>in</strong>dividual learn<strong>in</strong>g. In addition to the core subjects, GAAQ allows students to Mark Lentz Head of the School THE GUIDING LIGHT OF GAAQ Mark Lentz, the Head of the School, arrived at GAAQ <strong>in</strong> the spr<strong>in</strong>g of 2016. He def<strong>in</strong>es the school as an amalgamation of top notch facilities, well-behaved and engaged students, dedicated teachers, and a positive, supportive learn<strong>in</strong>g environment. Under his leadership, GAAQ, as a young school, has grown quite a bit over the last few years. It has gone from 820 students to nearly 1,<strong>10</strong>0 students, add<strong>in</strong>g competitive sports teams, <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g academic rigor and support, <strong>in</strong>troduc<strong>in</strong>g advanced placement classes, develop<strong>in</strong>g a student support team, creat<strong>in</strong>g a school motto and mascot, ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the highest parent satisfaction rate, all while further<strong>in</strong>g the school's mission, “We are the Raptors and together we will soar to new heights!” says Mark. T H E TM NOWLEDGEREVIEW Education. Innovation. Success | December <strong>2018</strong> | 41 02